This is illustrator’s
Jenny Mortsell brief resume in her own words: “I was born 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden, where I still live. Post high school I studied Printmaking art at two different schools. Then I studied Graphic Design at HDK in Gothenburg, but then switched to Graphic Design & Illustration at Konstfack in Stockholm where I took a Bachelors degree in 2002 and then a Masters degree in 2004. For my masters project at Konstfack I launched myself as the italo-disco artist "Rozzetta", recorded a record: "Fantasy" and a video (as can also be seen on my site). I still often play records at clubs as DjRozzetta. After my graduation I got tired of Graphic Design and I started to draw instead. Since then I have done illustrations in some Swedish magazines Bang, Nöjesguiden, Dagens Nyheter, and international as well,
Hint, Flaunt, Tetu, Velle, Lula, Japanese Nylon and US Nylon. I have also done drawings to Daniel Sannwalds projects for Wet By Beefeaters and Youth Vision. I still do some Graphic design projects with my friends in Bravehat (www.bravehat.com). We also run "Club Bravehat" every third month with live bands and visuals and various surprises. Overall I do a lot of things. I always have at least ten ongoing projects but most of them I will never finish….My dear ideals, I feel that people like Jenny make this world more beautiful. She was more than happy to talk to me and not only this, she dedicated a whole illustration to “Un nouveau Ideal”. For me this is like a Christmas present and I feel like a 5 year old while looking at it..Now lets move further and she what Jenny her self answered to my questions
FilepMotwary: Do you think it is still possible to surprise or make somebody happy/angry with a drawing?
Jenny Mortsell: I must say yes because
I get very emotional about other peoples work all the time. But I don't see my own drawings as much more than decoration, I don't really have any intention to make people feel anything more than maybe Ahh! Ohh!
fM: When you work on the page of a sketchbook, do you let things “happen” or everything is organized in your head?
jM: With most of my illustrations I use a photograph as a starting point and do everything in a super organized way. I don't do much sketching, if it's not right from the beginning just I throw it away and start on something else.
fM:Do you try to undercut what you have done before in your past?
jM: I'm not sure this is the right answer, but I hate it when I look at something that I did a few years ago that I don't like anymore. Because than means I will probably think the same about what I do now in a few years. On the other hand maybe it also means you can get "better" without really noticing. I guess it would be worse if you wanted to go back to doing children's drawings and you couldn’t cause you got too skilled.
fM: How important is the term “faith” to you? Do you think we need faith through to carry on?
jM: It's nothing I really think about but of course it is important. You have to have some kind of belief in what you do. But for me it's equally important to be encouraged by others to carry on.
I don't like the idea of being the struggling artist that suffers in the name of art. If no one liked what I do I would just quit and start a bakery or something instead.
fM: As a designer myself, I have to draw a dress before I produce it on fabric. Apart from technical drawings I also do an illustration especially if a dress has a strong “story behind” it or a specific mood. Have you worked for a designer before? If yes, How was that experience?
jM: That sound like an interesting way of working! I wish I had, but no. It's always a challenge trying to translate what’s in the mind onto paper, may it be your own vision or another’s. Like watching the filmed version of your favourite book, they never get it right. But it would be nice to illustrate the state of mind or film scene that goes with a dress. Like maybe a person who just stumbled and fell on the sidewalk on the way home from a bar. Or sits crying outside her high school prom because noone asked to dance with her. Hmm. Maybe that'll be my next project that I'll never finish. Drawing state of minds that needs a certain dress.
fM:What informs your “gut”. How do you decide who you are going to work for? Is there anyone you haven’t worked with but you really look up to?
jM: The best people to work with is those that trust you and aren't afraid to let go and do things in a different way. It can be anyone. I try to avoid looking up to others too much, but I'd like to do more fashion-related projects.
fM: I hate to ask this question but “HAVE you ever been to Greece”?
jM: No, I have not yet, but reading "The Magus" by John Fowles really made me wanna go.
fM: Are you happy “these days”(niko)?
jM:Yes and no. Most of the time I totally loathe myself. But that's also why I chose to be an illustrator, to have some creative therapy and then maybe people will tell me nice things about my work so I feel a little better. But I am also extremely happy to be in a situation where I can do what I do and not have a job I hate just to pay my rent.
fM:Do you like “Un nouveau Ideal”? jM: Yes from my small acquaintance I do, and it's an honour to be featured in it! My iDeals, isn’t Jenny a real miracle? Thank you Jenny so much for your time and the beautiful illustration . To se more of Jenny Mortsell’s work please visit :
http://www.jennysportfolio.com
